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Popular Articles

Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffolding is a necessity in many construction projects, allowing construction workers to build some of the impressive structures you see in big cities all over the country. In fact, estimates show that 65% of the construction industry works on scaffolds frequently, which equals approximately 2.3 million construction workers being put at risk of suffering injuries in scaffolding accidents. Even though they look simple, scaffolds have a number of different parts, and must be set up properly to maintain balance and to support the weight of workers and materials. Unfortunately, accidents such as scaffold collapses and falls can happen when there are problems with scaffold footings, planking and decking of platforms, guardrails, ties and braces, or load capacity or faulty access to the platform. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by a scaffolding accident, contact a construction accident attorney to discuss your legal options.

Causes of Scaffolding Accidents on Construction Sites

According to a recent study, 72% of construction workers injured in scaffold accidents associated the accident with planking or supports giving way, or the worker slipping or being struck by a falling object. Some of the most common causes of scaffolding accidents include:

Defective scaffolding

Improperly assembled scaffolding

Negligent maintenance of scaffolding

Falling objects hitting a worker on the scaffold

Failure to use proper safety equipment

Scaffolding coming into contact with overhead power lines

Safety should be the number one concern for employers and general contractors overseeing a construction job. Unfortunately, avoidable factors like negligence, carelessness, hastiness and incompetence put the lives of construction workers at risk on a daily basis and contribute to devastating events like scaffolding accidents.

OSHA Safety Regulations for Using Scaffolding

Because of the frequency and severity of scaffolding accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established safety regulations for the safe and proper use of scaffolding on construction sites. Safety protocol includes:

Scaffold must be sound, rigid and sufficient to carry its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load without settling or displacement

Scaffold must be equipped with guardrails, midrails and toeboards

Scaffold must not be erected, moved, altered or dismantled except under the supervision of a competent person

Scaffolds must be at least 10 feet from electric power lines at all times

Scaffold platforms must be tightly planked with scaffold plank grade material or equivalent

A competent person must inspect the scaffolding and reinspect it at designated intervals

According to OSHA, protecting construction workers from scaffold-related accidents by following these safety precautions could prevent the estimated 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities associated with scaffolding accidents each year.

Injuries Commonly Resulting from Scaffolding Accidents

Whether a scaffolding accident occurs because of a fall from scaffolding, scaffolding coming into contact with power lines, or because of falling equipment hitting scaffolding, the resulting consequences can be devastating, especially if the accident is fatal. Some of the most common injuries caused by scaffolding accidents include:

Back and neck injury

Brain injury

Concussion

Spinal cord injury

Leg and knee injury

Scaffolding Lawsuits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 20% of nonfatal construction worker injuries are caused by falls, and falling from scaffolding is one of the most frequent accidents of this kind. If you were injured in a scaffolding accident, or if you lost a loved one in a fall from scaffolding on a construction site, contact a construction accident attorney today. You may be entitled to disability or death benefits under workers’ compensation laws, or compensation via a third-party liability claim if the scaffolding accident was caused by a person or party not employed by your employer. Scaffolding accidents are some of the most deadly accidents occurring at construction sites, and could be avoided with proper attention paid to workplace safety and the quality of tools and equipment used. With the help of a qualified construction accident attorney, scaffolding accident victims can protect their legal rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.

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Do you deserve compensation?

An attorney will review your situation for FREE and help you found out what really went wrong.

How Can We Reach You?

Please Explain Your Situation

By clicking the "Submit" button below, you agree that law firms you are matched with may contact you by telephone even if you are on a federal or state Do Not Call registry. Up to 10 law firms may respond to your request within approximately 2 weeks. In some cases 3 or more firms may respond to your request after 30 days. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use.

By leaving this box checked, I agree to receive future offers and announcements from Consumer Justice Foundation, and its affiliates and partners